An Ukulele Born of a 3-D Printer

What if, instead of buying an ‘ukulele, you could just run to the office and print out a three-dimensional, physical ‘ukulele that actually makes music? According to an article in a recent school newsletter, three engineering students from Rochester Institute of Technology did just that. Using a computer aided design program, the students developed an electronic image of an ‘ukulele and sent it off to a specialized printer that uses a layering process and something called nano-ink. In less than 24 hours, the students were holding a miniature pineapple ‘ukulele complete with functioning strings. It’s an impressive example of modern technology in action, but the bigger question is: just how long will it take the students to learn to play the four-stringed instrument?

(I have to quibble a bit with the first sentence of the article: “It takes nearly four years for Hawaiian artisans to craft a koa wood ukulele.” While four years is certainly a stunning contrast to the overnight sensation created by the RIT students, that time frame might be a bit exaggerated. My friend Bill Ford can craft a beautiful ukulele from koa wood in a month. Chuck Moore, who builds museum quality ukes with breathtaking inlays, might take a few months.)